Online Reporter
Alicia Kadzviti-Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWE will commemorate International Women’s Day tomorrow at Chipadze High School in Bindura, Mashonaland Central.
Globally, the day will be marked on March 8.
Addressing a Press conference in Harare yesterday, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said this year’s commemorations will be held under the global theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls”.
She said gender equality and women’s empowerment should not be viewed merely as moral or human rights issues, but as critical steps any Government must take to achieve sustainable economic development.
“These are not just morality issues. They are economic issues,” she said.
The minister said Zimbabwe has strong political backing for the agenda, noting that President Mnangagwa has signed a High-Level Political Compact to end violence against women and girls, as well as harmful practices.
She described the move as a clear commitment to ensure that women and girls are not left behind in national development.
Minister Mutsvangwa said promoting women’s empowerment does not mean sidelining men and boys, but correcting historical imbalances rooted in patriarchal systems and colonial-era discrimination.
“We are not talking about taking girls up and leaving boys down. We want everyone to move together, in line with His Excellency’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind,” she said.
The minister revealed that her ministry has intensified engagement with men and boys, saying gender equality can only be achieved through a whole-of-nation approach involving decision-makers in both the public and private sectors.
She highlighted women’s dominant role in agriculture and community development, saying their resilience continues to sustain families and drive economic growth despite climate shocks and global economic challenges.
She added that the updated National Gender Policy is focusing on leadership development, climate-smart agriculture, clean energy adoption and digital empowerment to ensure women are not excluded from an increasingly online economy.
“By 2027, most business will be done online. If we leave women without digital skills, we are automatically discriminating against them,” she said.
The minister also raised concern over persistent barriers such as limited land ownership for women, unpaid care work, climate shocks and gender-based violence.
She said Government is expanding one-stop centres for GBV survivors, which provide integrated services including police support, medical care and counselling under one roof.
However, she appealed for increased Treasury and partner support to scale up the centres to all districts.
Sen Mutsvangwa also highlighted the need to address drug and substance abuse among youth, saying Government has established a high-level inter-ministerial committee to tackle the problem.
She called on traditional leaders, religious institutions, private sector players and development partners to ensure full implementation of constitutional gender provisions and to strengthen efforts to protect both women and men from abuse.
“No girl should suffer in silence. No boy should suffer in silence. Government will not leave them alone,” she said.
